Chance encounter leads Summer to horticulture

In her final months at secondary school, Summer Wynyard thought she was going to be a doctor, but a chance encounter would see her focus more on plants than humans.

“I decided I was going to become a doctor. The only problem with that was that I didn’t like blood or gore. So I had to have a bit of a rethink and horticulture came at just the right time. It was less than six months out from starting university that I was convinced to commit to moving to Palmerston North and study horticulture,” Miss Wynyard says. “It wasn’t even on my radar. It all began on an unassuming school trip.”

That school trip was to the Horticultural Field Days in the Hawkes Bay with fellow students at Hasting’s Karamu High School.

“I heard Leander Archer speak and she said she was a recent Massey graduate with a degree in Agricultural Sciences, majoring in horticulture. She spoke about her love for science, the land and helping people. She said that this degree would allow her to dabble in all of those. She spoke about how when she graduated she got more offers than there were people in her graduating class. I knew that’s what I wanted to do.”

Now in the third year of her Bachelor of AgriScience, Miss Wynyard joined Miss Archer on a trip to Europe and Asia on the International Horticulture Immersion Programme (IHIP). Returning this month, the trip was designed for students to gain knowledge surrounding the technologies and processes of the horticulture sector at an international level.

IHIP is an industry supported program funded by AgMARDT, NZ Apples and Pears, Zespri, ANZ, Farmlands, T&G Global, Massey University, FoodHQ, and AgFirst.

The big move

Palmerston North was a long way to go for the family-centred 20-year-old.

“I chose Massey because it is New Zealand’s leading horticultural university and studying in Palmerston North means that I am only two hours from my hometown. I come from a big family and so being close to them meant I could regularly visit.”

However, Miss Wynyard says she could’ve done without the climate shift. “It definitely came with its challenges. Going from Hastings to living in Palmerston North – it is cold! The best solution we’ve found is to stay in the Massey library till closing to study and there’s a kitchen in the library, so we can stay warm whilst saving power at the flat.”

“When I gain my degree, I hope it will encourage all my younger siblings and cousins to do the same. Since I was little I’ve almost always known I was going to university. Being one of the elder children in my wider family also meant that my actions were always going to be watched by my younger siblings and cousins. Being raised a New Zealand Māori I have also felt a huge connection to my whenua (land) and tāngata (people). I will be only the second person in my wider family (the first being my uncle) to obtain a bachelor’s degree. I plan to outdo him one more by gaining my master’s degree, but he doesn’t know that yet. 

“My ultimate goal is to become a research scientist looking at issues relating to genetic modification or pest and disease issues so that I can aid in finding solutions to problems affecting the New Zealand economy and people. In the meantime, I am excited to be a part of any new opportunities that come up.” 

Who should study horticulture?

Miss Wynyard says she hopes some people might be inspired to study horticulture like she did. 

“If you’ve got a passion for science, or the land, food, international food marketing, meeting great people, or just being a part of an industry that does meaningful work for people, then this is for you. When you look at the students, everyone comes from different backgrounds but they all have a desire to work hard in the industry.

Miss Wynyard has received the Mangatu Inc. Undergraduate Scholarship and the T&G Undergraduate Scholarship each worth $5,000 per annum for up to three years. She has also been the recipient of a scholarship that will allow her to attend the Horticulture New Zealand Conference in Hamilton this year. 

“The agriculture/horticulture industry provides a vast number of scholarships to its students. There are a number of opportunities available.”